By Victor Akaa, Abuja
The troops of Operation DELTA SAFE during the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP and other operations in the South South Zone, have destroyed over 61 illegal refining sites, 289 storage tanks, 167 ovens, 19 dugout pits, and 13 wooden boats in the past two weeks.
The Director Defence Media Operation, Major General Musa Danmadami, disclosed this on Thursday during a bi-weekly briefing on the military and other security agencies’ operational engagements across the country between the period of 9 to 23 February, 2023, in Abuja.
General Danmadami stated that alot has been achieved by troops in conjunction with other security agencies within the period.
He noted that a total sum of two hundred and twenty two million, three hundred and thirty eight thousand, four hundred and thirty naira (N222,338,430.00) only were denied these oil thieves.
“Troops equally recovered 250,500 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 75,000 litres
of crude oil, 2,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 20 assorted weapons, 359 variety of ammunition, 10 vehicles, 2 speedboat, 2 pumping machines and 2 outboard engine, while a total of 142 suspected criminals were also arrested.
In another development, General Danmadami said over 27 terrorists have been killed in the North East zone within the period.
According to him, in the past two weeks, both kinetic and non-kinetic operations were conducted in the various theatres of operations, with unprecedented successes recorded.
He said troops of the Joint Task Force, of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have conducted onslaughts against terrorists’ enclaves in the villages, mountains, roads and town of Gwoza, Bama, Gubio, Biu, Dikwa, Monguno and Konduga Local Government Areas of Borno State as well as Mubi town in Mubi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
He said several raids, fighting patrols and ambush operations were conducted to curb the activities of terrorists and other criminals within the Joint Area of Operations.
He said, over 252 Boko Haram terrorists and their family members surrendered, some civilian captives rescued and terrorists’ logistics suppliers arrest due to troops heightened operations in the area.
“Troops neutralized 27 terrorists and arrested 18 Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists logistics suppliers, spies and informants at different locations within the theatre as well as rescued 20 abducted civilians while a total of 252 Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist and member of their families comprising of 24 adult male, 79 adult female and 150 children surrendered to own troops at different location within the theatre of operations.
“All recovered items, rescued civilians, and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while surrendered Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families are being profiled for further action.” he stated.
General Danmadami noted that troops in conjunction with other security agencies have achieved tremendous successes within the period in all theatres of operations across the 6 geo-political zones and assured never to rest on its oars untill normalcy returned in all the troubled areas.
